Method and apparatus for collecting on-line consumer data and streaming advertisements in response to sweepstakes participation

Abstract

The method for communication between a central computer, such as a server, and various remote computers communicate information regarding the on-line behavior of the remote users to the central computer during an internet session, which typically includes various URL's. The central computer analyzes this on-line behavior and directs advertisements to each user based on the remote user's on-line behavior. These advertisements are typically streamed onto a taskbar shaped area on the screen of the remote user. Additionally, information regarding the awarding of future prizes is streamed to the user and displayed on the taskbar shaped area. Information regarding the awarding of the prize is likewise streamed to the user and displayed on the toolbar shaped area. Typically, a user must be logged on during the communication of the information regarding the awarding of the prize in order to be eligible for receiving the prize.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of communicating between a central computer and a number of remote computers operated by a number of users during internet sessions, including the steps of: 
 collecting information regarding users' on-line behavior throughout internet sessions and communicating said information to said central computer;    communicating advertisements from said central computer to said remote computers, said advertisements being selected in response to said information regarding on-line behavior for each user;    displaying said advertisements on a first portion of a selected area of a screen of said remote computers; and    communicating information regarding future prizes and periodically communicating information regarding the award of a prize from said central computer to said remote computers and displaying at least a portion of said information regarding future prizes and the award of a prize on a second portion of said selected area of a screen of said remote computers, wherein users can be awarded prizes if a user's internet session occurs during communication of information regarding the award of a prize.